Things to Avoid Doing to Collectible Coins

Coins collection is a serious hobby and should not be taken lightly. Coins are fragile and are easily exposed to damage, especially those of higher mintage and value. Beginner collectors ought to know how to take care of coins, because there are common misconceptions about cleaning and storing coins. Some may not hold true to all, but if you are collecting high value coins and want to keep the coin values stable, it would be best to know what to avoid doing to your coins.

1. Handling coins with dirty or unsanitized hands

Our hands always carry oils and dirt, and these two can cause great damage to more delicate coins. They can cause minor discoloration, tarnishing and minuscule scratching. The damage may not sound so great to you, especially if you're a beginner--- but always keep in mind that collector and rare coins depreciate greatly in value if exposed to even these little kinds of damage.

2. Cleaning coins

This may sound like a surprise to you, but yes-- cleaning coins will damage them. Every time you clean your coins, you expose them to the air. Metal always deteriorates when exposed to air, since it will oxidize and start to tone. The best thing to do is to store your coins in dust-free and air-proof containers to prolong the coin lifespan. Also, keep cleaning at a minimal rate, and only when necessary.

3. Using saliva to clean coins

Unfortunately, some people believe that saliva is the best cleaning agent for coins. This is a mistake you should avoid. Your saliva could cause discoloration to your coins, so instead of using it, use a trusted cleaning agent by expert coin collectors.

4. Breaking the coin holders

Always make sure your holders are in their best shape. An airproof container that is damaged may no longer be able to protect your coins from discoloration and oxidation. Check your holders for damage and if the damage cannot be repaired, do not hesitate to replace the holder immediately. Otherwise, the coin housed by the holder will tarnish over time because of exposure to dirt and air.

5. Scraping coins against hard surfaces

Coins will most likely result to scratching every time you drag the across a table. Whenever you handle coins and inspect them or clean them, make sure you put the coins on a soft surface. A velvet pad is the best option, although for less expensive alternatives a clean soft cloth will do the job.

Taking on coin collection requires diligence and knowledge about coins. One should not carelessly handle them. Doing so could decrease the value of your coins, and that is one of the many fears of every coin collector.

To be a coin collector is to make sure your coins are safe from damage. Coins dealers such as Colonial Acres Coins also sell various books about coin collection that can greatly influence your habits regarding the subject. So if you want your coins to be in best shape-- drop by and shop at Colonial Acres Coins, and you will not only get top tier coins but also great tips and books to help you preserve your coin collection.

Colonial Acres Coins is one of the leading numismatic firms in all of Canada and prides itself by giving collectors the chance to safely purchase coins online along with access lots of helpful information through their informative website. Colonial Acres deals in Canadian & US coins and paper.